Combined tee and ball lifter



June 23, 1936. c. E. DOUGLAS COMBINED TEE AND BALL LIFTER Filed May 26, 19 32 Patented June 23, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to a combined tee and lifter for golf balls.

Briefly described, my invention consists of a flexible rubber body formed into a cup shape, the

bottom of the cup being formed with seats on opposite sides thereof. Preferably, one of the seats is formed into a vacuum cup, such also serving to connect the device onto a golf club.

My invention contemplates the provision of a golf tee which is reversible whereby the golf ball may be held at two different heights and also the device may be attached to a golf club and utilized for the purpose of retrieving the golf ball. Moreover, if desired, two of the tees may be telescoped together in corresponding or inverted positions whereby the height of the golf ball is further controlled. Also, the tees may be tilted relatively to each other for permitting the desired angularity in the teeing of the golf ball.

My device may be used in any of its several positions as a tee for a golf ball, thus holding the same at the chosen height. Furthermore, the device is of extremely light construction and hence is easy to carry in ones pocket.

A further advantage of the light construction is that the impact of the golf club thereagainst will not be detrimental. Also, by telescoping two tees in inverted positions a very compact carrying position is had.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrated embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view through my device, the same serving as a tee for supporting a golf ball.

Fig. 2 is a somewhat similar view, the device being turned wrong side out or inverted with respect to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates the application of the device to the end of a golf club.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the lower portion of Fig. 3, the device being in retrieving position over a golf ball.

Fig. 5 shows the distortion of the tee when struck with the driver.

Similar numerals refer throughout the several views. Numeral l0 indicates a body portion of slightly greater than semi-spherical form, this body portion merging into oppositely disposed seats II and I2.

As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the seat ll consists 5 of a head which supports the golf ball l3. The

to similar parts golf ball l3 may now be struck with the driver H, see Fig. 5, and the body portion I 0, being of relatively light rubber composition, will readily assume the distorted position shown in Fig. 5 and no injury will result to either the driver or the tee. Moreover, the lightness and bulkiness of the tee prevents it from being thrown any great distance.

Referring now to Fig. l, the body portion It] has been inverted whereby the vacuum cup I2 is in 10 an upper position, such cup serving to tee the ball to a slightly greater height than that shown in Fig. 2.

Figs. 3 and 4 disclose the vacuum cup 12 firmly pressed against the blade of the golf club I5 15 whereby it adheres thereto. When in this position, the body portion I0 will be engaged over the golf ball 13 and the friction of the rubber cup Ill against the outer surface of the golf ball as well as the suction therebetween will grasp the same .30 whereby it may be retrieved. The cup Ill operates satisfactorily under water and as the device is fastened to the metal end of the club, no damage will result to the golf club as would be the case if the leather handle I6 supported the device. 25

If desired, two of the tees may be slid together to give the chosen position to the golf ball. For instance, the tee as disclosed in Fig. 1, may be slid upon and tilted as desired with respect to the one shown in Fig. 2 or vice versa. 30

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specifically disclosed without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention disclosed in the appended claim. 35

I claim:

An article of manufacture for the retrieving of golf balls comprising, a cup body portion formed of rubber or the like, said body portion being of substantially the same size as one half a regula- 40 tion size golf ball, said body portion having a relatively blunt terminal edge of circular shape, said edge being of suffioient strength to support the weight of a regulation golf ball and having a diameter thereacross which is slightly less than the diameter of the said golf ball and said body portion extending back from a plane through the terminal edge at an angle less but only slightly less than a right angle whereby wedging engagement is easily had between the golf ball and the 50 cup, said ball also being held in the cup body por- CHARLES E. DOUGLAS. 

